Julian Assange Seen Looking Very Different During Arrest Video

PA/Ruptly

WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange has been seen for the first time in seven years as he was arrested by UK police. 

The 47-year-old Australian national had been living in London’s Ecuadorian embassy, but he was arrested after Ecuador revoked his asylum.

Footage shared by Ruptly, a video news agency associated with Russia’s RT, showed Assange being escorted from the embassy this morning (April 11).

Take a look here:

He appeared to shout ‘UK must resist’ as he was being led away.

In 2012, Assange was set to appear in Swedish court over sexual misconduct charges, which he denies. However, a warrant for his arrest was issued when he failed to appear, Business Insider report.

Getty

That investigation has since been dropped, though he also faced charges in the UK for breaching former bail conditions. The 47-year-old could now face extradition to the US as a result of WikiLeaks’ involvement in leaking thousands of military documents.

Ecuador’s president Lenin Moreno explained Assange’s asylum had been dropped due to his repeated violations of international conventions:

Following his arrest, Home Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted:

Nearly 7yrs after entering the Ecuadorean Embassy, I can confirm Julian Assange is now in police custody and rightly facing justice in the UK. I would like to thank Ecuador for its cooperation & @metpoliceuk for its professionalism. No one is above the law.

The first footage of Assange has been met with interest by people across the world, and after being in hiding for so long, lots of people have been quick to comment on his appearance.

Take a look at some of the reactions below:

Former Playboy model Pamela Anderson has showed her support for Assange, who she visited several times during his time in the Ecuadorian embassy, CNN report.

She shared a page in support of WikiLeaks, and launched a Twitter rant aimed at the ‘devil and liars’ behind the co-founder’s arrest, writing:

I am in shock.. I couldn’t hear clearly what he said?
He looks very bad.
How could you Equador ?
(Because he exposed you).
How could you UK. ?
Of course – you are America’s b*tch and you need a diversion from your idiotic Brexit bullsh*t.

The thread continued:

And the USA ?
This toxic coward of a President
He needs to rally his base? –
You are selfish and cruel.
You have taken the entire world backwards.

You are devils and liars and thieves.
And you will ROTT

And
WE WILL RISE

A statement released by the Metropolitan Police today explains Assange was taken into custody at a central London police station, where he will remain until he is presented before Westminster Magistrates’ Court, which will happen as soon as possible.

If you have a story you want to tell, send it to [email protected].

Emily Brown

Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.